Sin tax revenues decline as governments need to stuff budget holes

United Kingdom | For years, the trio of sin taxes – alcohol, cigarettes and fuel – have bolstered state budgets. At the same time, governments were fighting sin. As they all knew: sin taxes lead to lower consumption as people change their behaviour. Now that there is a shortage of sinners, governments need them. How ironic.

London’s Gipsy Hill Brewery sold to Sunrise Alliance Beverages

United Kingdom | Sunrise Alliance Beverages, a group backed by several former SABMiller people, is emerging as another roll-up of distressed UK craft breweries. On 30 October, Sunrise acquired Gipsy Hill to prevent the south London brewer from falling into administration.

SIBA launches “Indie Beer” mark amid craft beer confusion

United Kingdom | Surveys show that many consumers are unaware that previously standalone breweries are now owned by the Big Brewers. In an effort to put this right, the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) has launched the “Indie Beer” mark on 22 October.

Heineken Ireland ordered to pay EUR 29,000 to sacked employee

Ireland | And we thought only craft breweries were rough and tumble workplaces, where banter and colourful language were the norm between male co-workers. It happened at Heineken too. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ordered the brewer to pay some EUR 29,000 (USD 31,500) to a sacked employee. It argued that Heineken’s local HR team ignored the rough masculine work culture at its brewery when it concluded that the employee had engaged in the bullying and harassment of two colleagues – which he denied.

Carlsberg maintains profit forecast despite lower volumes in third quarter

Denmark | Danish brewer Carlsberg slightly missed analysts’ forecasts when it reported third quarter 2024 results on 31 October. Carlsberg reported that volumes fell in the third quarter, as poor summer weather across Europe and a consumer downturn in China hurt beer sales. Organic volumes fell 0.2 percent, whereas analysts had estimated the company to grow volumes during the quarter.

The Netherlands | The Amsterdam District Court, in a milestone ruling on 24 October, has cleared the way for Macedonian Thrace Brewery (MTB) to press home its claim against Heineken NV for more than EUR 160 million (USD 170 million) in damages.

Anadolu Efes names new terms for Russian assets deal with AB-InBev

Russia | Will the new agreement pass muster with the Russian authorities? After they threw out Anadolu Efes’ proposed deal with AB-InBev regarding their Russian assets in June, the Turkish brewer has drafted new terms with AB-InBev, the Russian news agency Interfax reported on 23 October.

BrewDog “near return to profit” as pre-tax losses rise in 2023 financials

United Kingdom | BrewDog was late in reporting its 2023 financials. The numbers were certainly better than last year’s, but the Scottish beer, drinks and pub operator still spilled red ink.

Austria: Coke recalls 28 million bottles

Austria | What a challenge. Soft drinks giant Coca-Cola HBC is recalling 28 million half-litre plastic bottles across a range of brands, fearing some could contain small pieces of metal after a glitch in one of its bottling plants. Reportedly, a sieve had burst during production.

AB-InBev’s third quarter volume sales disappoint

Belgium | Shares in AB-InBev came under pressure on 31 October, after the brewer posted a sharper-than-expected 3.1 percent drop in beer volumes. Total volumes fell 2.4 percent in the third quarter, dragged down mainly by a 14.2 percent slide in volumes in China.